Thousands of Martial Arts Members Blocked from Debt Collector's Office in Surabaya, One TNI Member Injured

Hundreds of TNI and police personnel blocked a convoy of thousands of members of the martial arts group Persaudaraan Setia Hati Terate (PSHT) who were attempting to storm a debt collector's office on Jalan Teuku Umar, Surabaya, on Friday (31/7). According to CNNIndonesia.com's observation, one TNI member was injured. The thousands of martial artists intended to visit the debt collector's office on Jalan Teuku Umar. However, security forces blocked access at the intersection of Jalan RA Kartini, approximately 300 meters from their intended destination. This action was initiated by the thousands of martial artists following an incident where one of their members was allegedly hacked by a debt collector. "Arrest the perpetrator! Arrest the perpetrator! Arrest the perpetrator!" shouted the martial arts group members. Police and TNI personnel attempted to block them, stating that the group's grievances had already been received during a demonstration at the Surabaya Police Headquarters. "Colleagues, your grievances have been received at the Surabaya Police Headquarters, please disperse," said a police officer through a loudspeaker. Disappointed at not being allowed to pass and approach the debt collector's office, the martial artists began throwing bottles, stones, and wood. As a result of this incident, one TNI personnel was seen injured from the thrown objects. Previously, thousands of PSHT members had begun arriving at the Surabaya Police Headquarters on Friday (31/7). This action was held as a follow-up to the incident where one of their members was allegedly hacked by a debt collector. The protesters, wearing all-black attire and carrying flags with the PSHT inscription, arrived in waves starting around 14:30 WIB. Shortly thereafter, a command vehicle arrived at the scene, helping to calm the situation. The martial arts group hopes that the police will promptly arrest and punish the perpetrators of the hacking incident as a sanction for their actions. Some of the protesters engaged in mediation with police officials at the Surabaya Police Headquarters, while the rest waited outside the fence.